Cyndi Lauper, 60, was born in Queens, New York, and left home at 17. In 1983 her debut album, She's So Unusual, earned her a Grammy for best new artist and produced four top 10 singles, including Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Time After Time. She has since sold 50m records. Her Grammy-nominated Memphis Blues became the bestselling blues album of 2010; her new album, She's So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration, was released last week.

What is your earliest memory? I was about five, working with my grandmother in her garden in Queens. It was my favourite place to be.

Where would you like to live?Where I do live, New York City. There is no place like it in the world: the energy, people, sights and sounds.

Who would play you in the film of your life?Julia Stiles, she is a great actress.

What is your least appealing habit? I am never on time, try as I may.

What is your favourite word?Equality.

What is your guiltiest pleasure? Spending the weekend in bed, watching old black-and-white movies on TV.

If you could edit your past, what would you change?I wouldn't edit a thing. Every experience you have in life makes you who you are, so if you go back and change one thing, even a painful experience, you wouldn't come out the other side the same.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?To Hollywood in the 30s and 40s.

When did you last cry, and why?At a function for the True Colors Fund, where formerly homeless gay and transgender kids were telling their stories. It was heartbreaking.

How do you relax?Yoga gets me centred.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?More time.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?Being a Get winner (Grammy, Emmy, Tony). All I need is that Oscar!

What keeps you awake at night? My son. He is a teenager.

How would you like to be remembered? As someone who never gave up.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?Patience.

Where would you most like to be right now?Where I am: at home with my family.

Tell us a jokeA guy walks into a bar with a frog on his head. The frog says to the barman, "How do I get this guy off my ass?"